Cooking Japanese food using fresh herbs and vegetables in season results in flavorful, fresh and healthy dishes. In the month of July, edamame and shiso are both in season in Japan, and can be used in a variety of tasty dishes!
Virtual Travel with Umami: Shimane
Until we can all travel again, indulge in the deep history and food culture of Japan's beautiful Shimane prefecture virtually.
Trending
Eating cold noodles can be a great option to beat the heat of summer. Whether you drain and chill your noodles on a zaru or experiment with unique ingredients that add color and flavor, you won't be disappointed with these cool Japanese noodles!
In Japan, cooking fresh food in season ensures great taste and nutrition in every meal. In the month of August, many Japanese dishes feature tomatoes and corn, which are healthy and delicious, and can be prepared in many different ways.
This refreshing drink is sure to quench your thirst and make you reach for another. From its health and beauty benefits to the way it can be used in a number of delicious cocktails, Japanese yuzu is the fruit to enjoy this summer!
Culture, Food Traditions, Seasonal, Summer
12 Months of Japanese Holidays: August’s Hassaku No Iwai and Obon
One of Japan's three major holiday seasons, August features two important cultural traditions: Hassaku No Iwai and Obon. The former is born from agricultural heritage, and the latter, Buddhist rituals.
Discover Japanese fusion cuisine -- including sushi pasta and Nikkei -- this summer by visiting the international culinary destinations of Portonovo, Italy, and Lima, Peru.
The Tanabata Festival comes once a year. However, you can enjoy its traditional cuisine anytime with delicious, cold somen noodles. With a variety of options for decorations, the possibilities are as numerous as the stars.
Culture, Food Traditions, Seasonal, Summer
12 Months of Japanese Holidays: July’s Tanabata and Doyo No Ushi No Hi
July brings two significant holidays to Japan: Tanabata and Doyo No Ushi No Hi. One celebrates the fated reunion of two stars, while the other has less epic origins—but equally delicious food traditions.
Available at Umami Online Store
Quick & Easy Recipes
Soy milk dressing is healthier than your regular Caesar salad dressing!
Recipe for those getting bored of avocado toasts.
Get ready to impress friends and family with our easy-to-follow recipe and video for katsuobushi and broccoli salad, an authentic Japanese food recipe based on just two ingredients yet packing a flavor punch that will get you a standing ovation.
The ingredients are simple, but it still makes a great dish. The butter and soy sauce add additional flavor to the vegetables!
This traditional Japanese dish is a popular appetizer. The miso paste matches perfectly with the eggplants, making you want to eat more!
Soups are an important part of Japanese food culture, but they are often overlooked. Here is an easy recipe for a ginger and onion spiced tuna, mushroom and onion dashi soup that's perfect for almost any season.
Miso, mirin, and sake provide the flavor-rich marinade base for Salmon Saikyo Yaki, an authentic Japanese food recipe that is popular in restaurants all over the world and now can be created in four easy steps right in your home kitchen.
Skewered grilled chicken covered in Teriyaki sauce is the perfect dish for everything from afternoon barbecues to formal dinners, and our easy-to-follow chicken tsukune recipe and video has everything you need to make it at home!
Learn how to make Ogura toast, a Japanese breakfast recipe that is also healthy. Adzuki bean paste is smothered on freshly toasted bread for a sweet and creamy taste that will jump-start your day the right way.
Easy-to-follow recipe and video for enoki mushroom and spinach mayonnaise salad, plus everything you need to know about Japanese mushrooms and mayonnaise.
Latest Stories
A lifestyle in Shimane consists of fresh seafood from the Japan Sea, mountains with bountiful seasonal harvests, and the rich history of fermentation culture. Take a look into life here in Shimane and what it has to offer.
Shimane has many food products unique and special to its culture and history. From green tea to roses, there is something for everybody. To dig deeper into the food history of the area, meet the people maintaining Shimane's identity.
Exploring Shimane through its tea and soba is one way you can get an introduction to its history and culture. Learn how they are committed to keeping this food tradition alive and thriving in Shimane.
The vegan boom in recent years shows similar movements in Japan, and vegan sushi is also becoming popular. Learn how to make your vegan sushi easily at home!
No-bake cheesecake, or rare cheesecake, is a popular Japanese dessert menu. Adding silken tofu makes it healthier, and a hint of zesty yuzu syrup would make this dessert a total game changer!
Shiro Dashi is about to change your Japanese cooking game! It's such a versatile ingredient you can easily recreate Japanese flavor at home.
